Air Fryer Roast Beef
Temperature
360°F
180°C
Time
40 min
1kg (2 lb) joint
Safe internal
145°F
63°C · piping hot
Prep
10 min
Cook
40 min
Total
50 min
A small joint of roast beef does well in the air fryer - a browned crust all over and a pink middle, without heating a big oven for hours. Sear it hot for a few minutes first, then drop the temperature to bring it gently up to where you want it.
Ingredients
Quantities for 1kg (2 lb) joint - the times on this page assume that much in the basket.
- 1kg (2 lb) beef joint
- 2 garlic cloves, slivered into the fat
- 1 tbsp thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Flaky salt and cracked black pepper
How to air fry roast beef
- Pat the joint dry, cut slits in the fat and push the garlic slivers in, then rub all over with the oil, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
- Add the fresh roast beef to the basket. Leave clearance around the joint so air can circulate all the way round.
- Cook for about 40 minutes, turning the joint once halfway through.
- Check it has reached a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) before serving.
Pro tip
Sear at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes first, then drop the heat to finish; rest 10 minutes before carving.
How to tell when it's done
Go entirely by the thermometer: 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare, 145°F (63°C) for a safe medium, pulling it a few degrees early because it climbs as it rests. It must rest, loosely tented, for a good ten minutes before carving, or the juices end up on the board.
Safe internal temperature
Cook to 145°F (63°C) at the thickest point. An instant-read thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm it.
Converting from an oven recipe
If your recipe is written for a conventional oven, lower the temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and reduce the time by roughly 20% to land near 360°F for 40 minutes. Need a different starting point? Use the conversion calculator.
Air fryer roast beef: FAQ
How long does it take to air fry roast beef?
Air fry roast beef at 360°F (180°C) for about 40 minutes, turning the joint once halfway through. That's for 1kg (2 lb) joint in a single layer; adjust slightly for a fuller basket or a different model.
What temperature do you air fry roast beef at?
Set the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). If you're converting an oven recipe, that's roughly 25°F (15°C) below the oven temperature, with the time cut by about 20%.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for roast beef?
A 2-3 minute preheat gives the most accurate timing and the best browning, but it isn't essential - if you skip it, add a minute or two to the cook time.
What's the safe internal temperature for roast beef?
Cook roast beef to a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Cooking time is a guide; internal temperature is what confirms it's safely done.